Tubular's Best of 2012

December 28, 2012 12:50 PM

Photo: NBC, Neil Jacobs/NBC

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#12 Parenthood: It can be a touch treacly, it can sometimes yanks a little too hard on the heart-strings, and I'm not sure that I care for the addition of Ray Romano (I was really rooting for Sarah and Mark), but nevertheless, Parenthood remains one of the most gentle, intelligent and well-crafted dramas on television. This season's heartbreaking storyline involving Kristina's battle with breast cancer, and Adam's struggle to hold his family together, has been handled with delicacy and insightfulness-- the same insightfulness with which the series has always navigated the issue of Max Braverman's autism. Julia and Joel's frustrating efforts to integrate adopted son Victor into their family has also been a remarkably honest-feeling exercise. But it is the relationships between the siblings themselves -- prickly, sometimes competitive, but always loving -- that is the most true thing about the series. Parenthood airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on NBC less

#12 Parenthood: It can be a touch treacly, it can sometimes yanks a little too hard on the heart-strings, and I'm not sure that I care for the addition of Ray Romano (I was really rooting for Sarah and Mark), ... more

Photo: NBC, Neil Jacobs/NBC

#12 Parenthood: It can be a touch treacly, it can sometimes yanks a... Photo-3954839.54453 - Houston Chronicle

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#11 Breaking Bad: I understand that I am going to receive push-back on placing this so low on the list, but what are you going to do? The first half of the fifth and final season finds Walt more successful than ever, but moving ever closer to his undoing as his wife pushes him to leave the business, Jesse has decided to quit cooking meth and his brother-in-law has finally figured out that Walt is Heisenberg. The second half of Breaking Bad's final season promises to be a nailbiter, and will air in the summer of 2013 on AMC. (Ursula Coyote/AMC) less

#11 Breaking Bad: I understand that I am going to receive push-back on placing this so low on the list, but what are you going to do? The first half of the fifth and final season finds Walt more successful than ... more

#10 Fringe: So maybe the fourth season of Fringe was not its most successful, and thus the relatively low ranking on this list. The season felt meandering and at times was an exercise in frustration (remember Peter already, Olivia!). But by the last third of the season, Fringe had found its groove, and memorably used what is becoming an increasingly common writers' tool, the flash forward, to stunning effect. The shortened fifth season has been a heart-breaking one, taking place in a grim authoritarian future in which the robotic Observers have taken over seemingly hell-bent on poisoning all of us with greenhouse gases if the Fringe team doesn't stop them first. Over the past five seasons, what could have been a throw-away X-Files rip-off instead became a mythologically dense and, more importantly, an emotionally powerful series that will be fondly remembered by sci-fi fans everywhere. Fringe airs Fridays at 8 p.m. on Fox, and will have its series finale on January 18th. (Cate Cameron/FOX) less

#10 Fringe: So maybe the fourth season of Fringe was not its most successful, and thus the relatively low ranking on this list. The season felt meandering and at times was an exercise in frustration (remember ... more

#10 Fringe: So maybe the fourth season of Fringe was not its most... Photo-3954841.54453 - Houston Chronicle

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#9 Louie: Louis CK doesn't care about being liked. He does not care one whit about consistency or continuity and he does not care about making you feel warm or fuzzy or even satisfied. He does not care if he makes you laugh or if you ever tune in to another episode of his groundbreaking comedy. Louie CK is determined to make the show he wants to make, and he does care about genre or rules or your expectations. As a result, Louie is at times one of the most hilarious shows on television, at times it can be a melancholic slog, and, like the final episode of this season in which following a grim holiday season, Louie finds himself unexpectedly in China ushering in the New Year with a family of strangers, at times Louie can be sublime. Louie airs on FX, but will be on an extended hiatus until 2014. (Bailey/FX) less

#9 Louie: Louis CK doesn't care about being liked. He does not care one whit about consistency or continuity and he does not care about making you feel warm or fuzzy or even satisfied. He does not care if he ... more

#8 Veep: A vicious little comedy about politics and power -- or, more precisely, the appearance of power -- Veep debuted in the shadow of the much more buzzed about Girls. This is a shame, as Veep is one of the most wicked and whip-smart comedies on the air. The brilliant Julia Louis-Dreyfus plays Vice President Selina Meyer, a woman who longs for power and respect, and has little of either. Her staff is a mix of clever twenty-somethings (including a grown-up Anna Chlumsky of My Girl fame) and bumbling doofuses who are also jostling for position amongst themselves. And though we never learn Selina's political party, or even her political leanings, the result is a hilarious expletive-filled lesson in the absurdity of politics themselves. Veep airs on HBO and returns sometime in 2013. (HBO) less

#8 Veep: A vicious little comedy about politics and power -- or, more precisely, the appearance of power -- Veep debuted in the shadow of the much more buzzed about Girls. This is a shame, as Veep is one of the ... more

#7 Downton Abbey: The most popular British show in American television in recent memory, Downton Abbey continues to captivate audiences with its buttoned-up charm, romance and at times scathing wit. Season two finds England embroiled in the first World War and contending with the Spanish Flu, shattering their once relatively peaceful lives of the residents of the titular estate, both upstairs and downstairs. The upstairs/downstairs conceit of the series is nothing new of course; the interweaving of the masters' and servants' lives was first done in the 1970s by the British series Upstairs Downstairs, which also took place in Edwardian and First World War period England. But Downton Abbey deserves its devoted following thanks to its wonderful writing and acting (Maggie Smith is an international treasure as the Dowager Countess), and breathtaking costume and art design. The third season of Downton Abbey begins Sunday, January 6th, 2013 at 8 p.m. on PBS. (PBS) less

#7 Downton Abbey: The most popular British show in American television in recent memory, Downton Abbey continues to captivate audiences with its buttoned-up charm, romance and at times scathing wit. Season two ... more

#7 Downton Abbey: The most popular British show in American... Photo-3954844.54453 - Houston Chronicle

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#6 Parks and Recreation: This office space sitcom about a parks department in Indiana has no business still being on after five seasons -- there's no good reason it should have made it to a second, simply based on the premise -- but like Leslie Knope herself, it is stubborn, plucky and endlessly optimistic. The second half of season four featured Leslie running for city council against the rich son of the town's largest employer, played by a convincingly dimwitted Paul Rudd. The campaign was hilarious (in fact, the episode The Debate earned Amy Poehler a deserved writing Emmy nomination). Season five managed to breathe new life into the series by sending Leslie into her new job as councilwoman, and her boyfriend Ben off to Washington D.C. to work on a congressional re-election campaign -- allowing for some inspired real-life political cameos like John McCain and Joe Biden. Parks and Recreation airs on Thursdays at 7:30 on NBC. less

#6 Parks and Recreation: This office space sitcom about a parks department in Indiana has no business still being on after five seasons -- there's no good reason it should have made it to a second, simply based ... more

#5 Homeland: Homeland was going to be lower on the list than the number 5 spot if I'm being completely honest, but then the explosive finale took my breath away, and all the things that had bothered me all season long were forgiven. Homeland was not as tight as it was last season, there were far too many distractingly improbable elements (Just one example: Has no one noticed that Representative Brody is TERRIBLE at his job? Has he even been to Congress once?), the season was riddled with distractions like the daughter's hit-and-run story and Abu Nazir's denouement was anticlimactic at best. However, Claire Danes, Damian Lewis and Mandy Patinkin all continued to give amazing, award-worthy performances; and the writing, while silly at times, was still as suspenseful and nerve-wracking as ever. It's a brilliant show, let's just hope this season was something of a sophomore slump, and that the third season regains its footing. Homeland airs on Showtime and will return some time in 2013. (Showtime) less

#5 Homeland: Homeland was going to be lower on the list than the number 5 spot if I'm being completely honest, but then the explosive finale took my breath away, and all the things that had bothered me all ... more

#5 Homeland: Homeland was going to be lower on the list than the... Photo-3954846.54453 - Houston Chronicle

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#4 Mad Men: It's almost too easy to include Mad Men on lists like this, but what are you going to do? It's one of the most brilliant shows that have ever aired. And the long-awaited fifth season was no exception. In fact, the only reason Mad Men is this low on the list is because it didn't include nearly enough Peggy in favor of waaaaay too much of Don's new young wife, Megan (although I thoroughly loved the much-derided Fat Betty which firmly placed me in the minority). This season was a rumination on change and new beginnings: Don's new marriage to his young wife; Peggy's decision to leave the agency to escape from underneath Don's shadow; Pete's detachment from his domesticated life in the suburbs; Pryce's financial struggles and Joan's ascent within the agency through unthinkable means. The enduring image from this season that will stay with me, though, is Don kissing Peggy's hand as she leaves him to fulfill her promise. Mad Men airs on AMC, and will return in 2013. (Michael Yarish/AMC) less

#4 Mad Men: It's almost too easy to include Mad Men on lists like this, but what are you going to do? It's one of the most brilliant shows that have ever aired. And the long-awaited fifth season was no ... more

#3 Game of Thrones: They said it was the battle that couldn't be filmed, and yet, somehow the geniuses behind Game of Thrones made the Battle of Blackwater happen in all of its firey green glory. And it was pretty cool -- something that can be said about the second season of the epic fantasy series as a whole. In season two, things have not improved much for the Stark brood, as Robb wages war against the Lannisters, Sansa remains a captive of the horrid King Joffrey, Arya is on the run for her life, Jon is caught by Wildings in the North, and Rickon and Bran are left alone in Winterfell. The wily Tyrion Lannister serves as Hand to the King much to the irritation of his scheming sister Cersei, and a sea away, Queen of the Dragons, Daenerys, makes her way through the desert to begin her ascent. Having read the books, I can assure you that season three stands to be the best, most heart-breaking and breath-taking season yet. Game of Thrones returns to HBO on Sunday, March 31st, 2013. (HBO) less

#3 Game of Thrones: They said it was the battle that couldn't be filmed, and yet, somehow the geniuses behind Game of Thrones made the Battle of Blackwater happen in all of its firey green glory. And it was ... more

Photo: Helen Sloan

#3 Game of Thrones: They said it was the battle that couldn't... Photo-3954848.54453 - Houston Chronicle

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#2 Girls: One of the rawest, funniest, and most honest sitcoms about what it is like to be 20-something and aimless, Girls struck a number of nerves when it debuted last spring. Criticized for everything from nepotism in the casting, to the series not being diverse enough to complaints that creator Lena Dunham hadn't yet earned her dues, the controversy grew so noisy it was easy to overlook just how good the show was. Dunham created female characters that up until now had never had a presence on television: they are smart, sexually confident, and at times unlikable, rudderless and spoiled. Her honesty irritated some, but many others identified with Dunham's characters and the world they live in. With Girls, Dunham is not trying to be a role model or please everyone, she is merely speaking her own truth, and it is hilarious one. Girls returns to HBO on Sunday, January 13, 2013 at 8 p.m. (HBO) less

#2 Girls: One of the rawest, funniest, and most honest sitcoms about what it is like to be 20-something and aimless, Girls struck a number of nerves when it debuted last spring. Criticized for everything from ... more

#2 Girls: One of the rawest, funniest, and most honest sitcoms... Photo-3954850.54453 - Houston Chronicle

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#1 The Walking Dead: I might be confusing best with most improved, but in a year when my favorite shows (Homeland,Mad Men,30 Rock) left me wanting, The Walking Dead came along and infected me. The first half of the second season that aired in 2011 was meandering at best, so much hand-wringing and wandering around looking for Sophia. However, the second half of the 2nd season that began in 2012 was a revelation; a resurrection, if you will, of the terrifying show that we loved with when it debuted 3 seasons ago: less talk, more zombies. The first half of the 3rd season proved even more exciting and devastating with some shocking deaths, and introducing some great new characters including The Governor, a character more horrifying than the undead. Unfortunately, AMC has decided to fire the showrunner that brought the show back from the grave this season, so don't hold your breath looking for it on this list next year. The Walking Dead airs on AMC and will return some time in 2013. less

#1 The Walking Dead: I might be confusing best with most improved, but in a year when my favorite shows (Homeland,Mad Men,30 Rock) left me wanting, The Walking Dead came along and infected me. The first half of ... more

Photo: Frank Ockenfels/AMC

#1 The Walking Dead: I might be confusing best with most improved,... Photo-3954852.54453 - Houston Chronicle

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Honorable Mention: 30 Rock: 30 Rock's 6th and penultimate season felt a little tired (the Queen of Jordan episode should have been much funnier, and Hazel, the insane page, is a grating character), but overall the season was successful. Jenna's foray into reality show judging on America's Kidz Got Singing was inspired, and the Leap Day episode was a work of genius. And so far, the 7th and final season has been dutiful in tying up remaining storylines and finally marrying Liz Lemon off to a suitable (if boring) partner in a delightful wedding. I'll miss 30 Rock when it is finally no longer with us, it was one of the sharpest written shows ever, but I look forward to Tina Fey's next projects, as I'm sure whatever comes from her mind grapes will have us all Lizzing. 30 Rock airs at 7 p.m. on Thursdays on NBC. The final episode is scheduled for January 31, 2013. less

Honorable Mention: 30 Rock: 30 Rock's 6th and penultimate season felt a little tired (the Queen of Jordan episode should have been much funnier, and Hazel, the insane page, is a grating character), but overall ... more

Honorable Mention: Justified: After missing the first two seasons, I finally watched the third season of this crime series based on Elmore Leonard's Raylan Given's character, and I have to admit, those of you who recommended the show were right. Snappily written with memorable characters (and a collection of some of the best character actors in the business), Justified is an intelligent if hyper-violent pleasure. And the demise of this season's Big Baddie, played by Neal McDonough, will be seared into my memory for some time. Justified returns to FX on January 8, 2013, and will air on Tuesdays at 9 p.m. less

Honorable Mention: Justified: After missing the first two seasons, I finally watched the third season of this crime series based on Elmore Leonard's Raylan Given's character, and I have to admit, those of you ... more

Photo: PRASHANT GUPTA

Honorable Mention: Justified: After missing the first two seasons,... Photo-3954857.54453 - Houston Chronicle

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Honorable Mention: Nashville: Yes, yes, the political subplot and maneuverings feels tacked-on and a bit broad, but you can't deny the acting genius that is Ms Connie Britton, and Hayden Panettiere finally has the bad girl role she was born for as the scheming Juliette Barnes. Add to this some amazing original music that even a non-country music fan can love, and you've got yourself a fun melodrama. Nashville airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. on ABC less

Honorable Mention: Nashville: Yes, yes, the political subplot and maneuverings feels tacked-on and a bit broad, but you can't deny the acting genius that is Ms Connie Britton, and Hayden Panettiere finally has ... more

Honorable Mention: Happy Endings: This manic little comedy moves at a breakneck pace but continues to be a delight, even if it is not much more than an updated version of Friends. (The episode More Like Stanksgiving, in which the gang watches an unaired episode of The Real World in which they starred, was particularly good.) Cheeky and fun, this series is deserving of its cult following. Happy Endings airs Sundays at 9 p.m. and Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on ABC. (tumblr.com) less

Honorable Mention: Happy Endings: This manic little comedy moves at a breakneck pace but continues to be a delight, even if it is not much more than an updated version of Friends. (The episode More Like ... more

Honorable Mention: Community: Between losing its showrunner, having its time slot shifted repeatedly, and losing veteran actor Chevy Chase, it's been a tough year for Community, one of the zaniest and most fun comedies on television. And yet, Community had one of its best seasons to date, including perhaps the most inspired 30 minutes of television, Basic Lupine Urology, a loving and comprehensive spoof of Law & Order. Community will return Thursday, Feburary 7th, 2013 at 7 p.m. less

Honorable Mention: Community: Between losing its showrunner, having its time slot shifted repeatedly, and losing veteran actor Chevy Chase, it's been a tough year for Community, one of the zaniest and most fun ... more